About the Education Research server

The Server

This server is a laboratory in teaching techniques. We are curious about Information and Knowledge Technologies, and how it will change the nature of architectural education over time. So we are trying to build an applications server from the ground up, using Python and Zope technologies to really learn about this process, and see if this process can really inform the way we think about architectural education and the way our institutions are structured at the moment

• Architexturez Portal systems are found < here >

Why people join p-EDU

p-EDU offers opportunities to collaborate, internationally, in a non-western context, within a large scale, distributed learning environment. Also, as the system grows, an opportunity to compare courses on the same topic across the board, with archived materials, concurrent parallel developments in many countries

How to offer a course?

Anyone can offer course/s in Architecture at p-EDU. You need to create a log-in account first

Next you need to contact the site administrator and send a summary of the course you wish to offer. You may refer to the course classification for you reference.

We will get back to you with instructions as to how to load your material on the server

Open Courseware or an E-Learning system?

P-Edu has elements of the both built into it, and can be used like an Open Courseware or E-Learning server. We are directed towards learning outcomes which inform other Architexturez projects (click the “about” link, above) such as the “South Asia Andragogy for the Indian Architecture Knowledge (acquisition and representation) project”

Frequently asked questions:

• What is p-edu?
  p-edu is a web based knowledge sharing initiative in architecture
• What is the intention of p-edu?
  To create opportunities for sharing and learning for all, in the field of architecture
• Can I offer a course at p-edu?
  Yes, anyone can offer a course. You need to register first as a tutor to do so.
• I wish to offer a course at p-edu. What do I do next?
  You need to first register yourself as a member-tutor. You will get a workspace of your own on the portal where you will have to start loading your course material. If you get enough registered students you can start to collect assignment and quiz as well.
• Who can register to take a course at p-edu?
  Anyone can register to take up the course
• Is their a limit to number of students registering for a course?
  That will depend on the type of course you have registered for. If you have registered for time bound courses, then their will be a limit to the number of students who can register on first come first serve basis. But there is no limit to the number of students which can register for the normal static course which are available round the year
• What is the course duration?
  Time-bound courses will typically run between 8 to 12 weeks
• What is the difference between time-bound and static courses?
  Time bound courses have a limited number of registered students whose progress will be monitored by the tutor offering the course. It is a more personalized education process. Assignment and quiz will need to be submitted as part of the requirement of the course (like any university course) Static courses are always available and do not have any limit to the number of registered students. Registered member-student can take these courses step by step and also do the assignments and quiz. However we do not guarantee evaluation of the same. Still it will be possible to compare ones assignments and answers amongst student members.
• Is someone really reading the assignments and grading them?
  In time-bound courses yes, but not in static courses
• Can I use the course material of the p-edu site somewhere else?
  Yes, you may as long as you give due credit to p-edu for the same
• Do I need to be a student of architecture to take up a course at p-edu?
  No, anyone can take the course
• Do I need to be a student of architecture to take up a course at p-edu?
  No, anyone can take the course
• Are the cluster of courses at p-edu same as being offered in schools of architecture?
  P-Edu is a free resource in the sense that the course that get listed in the portal are the course that people wish to offer and other wish to take it up. So the courses at p-edu need not necessarily be the same as in some Schools of Architecture
• Is p-edu the web based resource of an Architecture School or an University?
  No, but many of the tutors and editors of the p-edu courses are holding various teaching positions in Schools of Architecture.
• Are the courses international in content or more regional?
  Chances are that we will have all kinds of courses and different versions of the same course as well over time.
• What is the course duration?
  For time bound course 8 to 12 weeks. Static couses are always available.
• Can I look into other student’s assignment?
  You can of course ask the student to allow access to the assignment. Some tutors may select certain good examples for general viewing.
  
• Can I know who the other participants are? Can I contact them?
  Yes you can, unless the student has not chosen to stay anonymous.